One-armed Man Defies Odds With Flying Roti Canai Skills

By Hafzi@Hasani Mohamed

MELAKA, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- A horrific road accident in November 2017 changed the life of roti canai maker Khairi Badri Zainurin, 39, when his left hand was severely crushed and had to be amputated while he was on his way to prepare equipment for his food stall.

Despite losing his hand and suffering balance problems caused by nerve damage, Khairi Badri refused to give up his livelihood and continued making roti canai using only one hand.

Recalling the accident, he said he was riding his motorcycle near the Melaka Wholesale Market when a car suddenly pulled out in front of him. Unable to avoid the vehicle, he crashed into it and suffered multiple injuries that left him hospitalised for two months.

"During those two months in hospital, I missed working with dough so much that I even dreamt about tossing roti canai. On the afternoon I was discharged, I went straight to the stall at about 4 pm and tried handling the dough with one hand," he told Bernama.

"Before, I am used to stretching and tossing 'flying roti' with both hands. But this work is part of who I am, so I practised every day (using one hand) until I regained my speed," he said recently.

Khairi Badri's impressive one-handed flying roti skills caught the attention of Bernama journalists covering the 16th Melaka state election when they visited a stall at the Wholesale Market Food Court in Batu Berendam here.

His determination also impressed his employer, Hamizan Abu Kassim, who described him as someone who never gave up, even from the time he first began learning to make roti canai under his guidance.

Hamizan, who has operated the family-run asam pedas and roti canai business for more than 12 years, said he witnessed Khairi Badri's struggles to adjust after losing his left hand, particularly in regaining his balance while tossing dough.

"When he first returned to the stall after leaving hospital, he was quite unsteady because he had not yet regained his balance.

"Sometimes, while deep in thought, he would practise tossing roti canai towards his colleagues, shouting, 'Mat, catch!' He kept doing it until he finally regained his balance," Hamizan said.

Hamizan said Khairi Badri's determination to earn a living despite his disability had made him a role model and an inspiration to others, particularly people facing similar challenges.

"Sometimes, parents whose children have lost a hand deliberately bring them to this stall to show them how Khairi continues to work hard despite his limitations. I am truly grateful to see his determination," he said.

Today, Khairi Badri's perseverance not only inspires others, but his skilful one-handed flying roti performance has also become a major attraction for customers at the Ujang Asam Pedas stall at the wholesale market.

-- BERNAMA